Obituary of Nelda Faye Keck

Services for Nelda Keck are scheduled for 10am, Friday, February 9, 2018 at First Baptist Church of Ardmore.  Funeral services will be under the direction of Griffin Funeral Home and burial will be at Hillcrest Memorial Park.  

Nelda Faye Ward Keck, born in Fox, Oklahoma on July 17, 1930 to Nora and Hays Ward entered Heaven February 5, 2018 at her Glory B Ranch home.  Nelda attended Fox Public Schools graduating Valedictorian of her 1948 class.  She graduated from Draughon’s School of Business and immediately went to work at First Baptist Church, Oklahoma City.  In 1951, Nelda married her childhood love Bob Keck and they started their family in Ft. Worth while attending Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary where Nelda obtained her BRE.  While in Ft. Worth, the Keck’s were blessed with their two children Bob and Karee.  During their time in Ft. Worth, Nelda worked at the Southern Baptist Radio and Television Commission.  In 1966, they moved to Austin, TX where she was Administrative Assistant at the Junior College President’s Association and Administrative Assistant at the University of Texas at Austin, and the UT Development Office.  In 1994, they retired to the Glory B Ranch in Springer, OK where she was involved in many civic and community activities.  Fulfilling her dream to see Fox history preserved, she established and developed the Fox Den Museum.

Nelda’s passion for America, Patriotism, and Veterans sparked her involvement in many genealogical societies such as DAR, DAC, CAC, USD 1812, and UDC.  She served in many leadership roles in each organization and received National DAR awards being especially proud of her First Place Photo contest and Most Beautiful Hat.  Nelda was a member of Carter County Republican Women and OBU Women of Vision.

Nelda became a Christian at an early age and was active in church work throughout her life.  As a minister’s wife for 50 years she worked alongside Bob serving churches in Texas and Oklahoma.  Falls Creek held a very special place in Nelda’s heart.  Recently, Nelda was a member of the First Baptist Church of Ardmore.

Nelda was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers: Brad and Danny, four sisters: Lavina Beth, Betty, Nora and Sara; and son-in-law Carl Hopkins.  She is survived by her husband Bob Keck of the home, her son Bob Nelson Keck and wife Melody of Ada; her daughter Karee Keck Hopkins of Edmond.  Grandchildren Carl Jack Hopkins and wife Beth of Springer, Andrew Keck and wife Julie of Houston, TX, Hays Hopkins of Oklahoma City, Adam Keck of Yukon, Hunter Hopkins of Oklahoma City, and Holly Erickson and husband Beau of Los Lunas, NM.  Her 9 great-grandchildren with one more expected in March.  One sister, Bobbie June Stone;  brother, Jimmy Ward and sister-in-law, Peggy Keck as well as many nephews, nieces, and close friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in honor of Nelda may be sent to First Baptist Church Ardmore Falls Creek Scholarship Fund.

Visitation with the family will be 5-7pm on Thursday, February 8, 2018, at Griffin Funeral Home.